Air operated instrument



Sept 29, 1942- R. L.. MALLoRY 2,297,361

AIR OPERATEI? INSTRUMENT ROBERT L. MLLORY BY. M

53 ATToRNEY Sept 29 1942 R. L. MALLoRY A2,297,361

ROBERT L. MALLORY ATTORNEY Sept. 29, 1942'.v R. L.. MALLoRY 2,297,361

.un OPERATED INSTRUMENT lf'iled Nov. 9, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENToR ROBERT L. MALLORY l QWAHTTORNEY I Patented' Sept. 29, 1942 2,297,361 'Am oPEaA'rEn ms'raUMENr Robert L. Mallory, Houston, Tex., assignor to The Brown Instrument Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania.

Application November 9, 1939, Serial No. 303,553

16 claims. (cl. 137-153) The general object of the present invention is to provide an improved control apparatus of the type comprising an element deflecting in accordance with changes in the value of a controlling quantity or condition, means through which deflection vof said element from a predetermined or normal value position of the element varies an air or other control force, and means through which variation in the force thus produced, modies the action of said element on the first mentioned means so as to eiect suitable corrective variations in the control force on a departure of the latter from its predetermined or normal value, without creating an objectionable tendency to unstable control or hunting. While the control condition above mentioned is described herein as temperature it will be understood that it could as well be pressure, humidity, specic gravity, flow or any other condition a change in which may be made to give a movement to some primary measuring element.

More specific objects of the invention are to provide improvements in air actuated controllers so that they 'will tend to maintain the value-of the condition being controlled more nearly at the desired mint than those controllers `which have heretofore been in use. A further object is to provide a controller which will quickly return the condition to its normalyalue, upon a departure therefrom, in a minimum amount of time and with a minimum overshooting of the control point.

In the operation of the instrument of this invention a constantly fluctuating pressure is applied to the control valve so that it is in a state of vibration. This vibration is of such small magnitude and/or short period, compared With- "that of the process, that it will have no effect on the value of the condition being controlled but it will prevent the valve from sticking so that any change in the average pressure applied thereto will be instantly effective.

Of primary importance, however, is that the instrument in each embodiment is so designed that upon a change in the value of the condition a control impulse greater than that necessary to restore the condition to its normal value is applied and then gradually removed as the condition returns to normal. In this manner the change in the condition is quickly checked and it is retiirned to normal more quickly than would be the case if a smaller corrective force were applied. Such an impulse is known as an iniin accordance with the characteristics of the process that isbeing controlled. y

When controlling, for example, the temperature of a heater and due to an increase in the load thereon the temperature. drops, it is necessary to supply more of the heating fluid to bring the temperature back to and keep it at normal. 'I'his increased supply may be divided into two portions, rst, that necessary to maintain the v increased load 'at the desired temperature and, second, that necessary to return the heater from the low value to which it fell when the load was increased to the normal value. in which the second portion of Athe supply of heating fluid is fed to the heater determines the time that the temperature will be away from normal, but regardless of how the supply is varied its volume will be approximately the same.

Thus if there is a smallincrease in heating :duidacterize my invention are pointed out with partial effect and it may be adjusted as desired .25

ticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specication. For a better understanding Vof the invention, however. its advantages and specific objects obtained with its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment whose vtemperature is to ybe controlled, -and whose temperature mayv be varied by regulating the oW of av heating mediumthrough a conduit .2 by means of adjustments of a diaphragm valve 3. Located within the heater and responsive to the temperature thereof is a bulb 4' that is filled with a fluid that expands upon 'an increase in The manner heat. 'I'his bulb is connected by means of a capillary tube 5 with 'the stationary e'nd' of a. Bourdon tube 6 in the shape of a helix whichwill unwind upon an increase of pressure therein to 'move an arm l fastened to the movable end of the helix around a shaft B upon which it is pivoted. Upon an increase in the temperature of the heater the arm I is moved clockwise and through link 9, bell-crank I9, pivoted at Il, and link I2 raises the left end oi' a lever I3 that is pivoted at its left end on the lower en'd of e. link ill.

Movement of the lever. Iii in response to changes in temperature oi' the heater is used to vary the relative positions of a dapper valve member I5 and an exhaust nozzle IS. The flapper is pivoted at il and has a natural bias toward the nozzle, which bias is overcome by movement to the left of .a pin I8 on one arm of a bell-crank I9 that has its other arm pivoted to the middle of the lever i3. The bell-crank i9 is pivoted at on the lower end of an arm 2l that is also pivoted at i'l.

The nozzle I8 communicates with the interior of 'a chamber 22 formed between a casing 23 and the exterior of a bellows 2t, both of which are attached to a supporting plate 25. A second chamber 26 is formed between the bellows' 24 and a second bellows 27 that also has its open end attached to plate 25. The chamber 26 is 'in restricted communication with the atmosphere by means of a duct 23 that has one end opening into the chamber and which is provided with an adjustable restriction 29. Extending through an opening in the plate is a link 3B, one end of which is' fastened to the end wall of bellows 2l' and the other end of which is attached to arm 2i so that upon a change in length of the bellows the link will be shifted to move arm 2| and the pivot point 2i] of bell-crank I9. Also attached to the plate 25 is a support 3l upon which the pivot pin Il' ior apperl and arm 2i is mounted. A

The chamber 22 and nozzle I are supplied lwith air under pressure through a restriction 32 in a line 33 from an air supply line lill. The line 33 also connects with an expansible bellows 35 so that changes in pressure in the chamber 22 will also be transmitted to the bellows. Upon movement of the flapp-er I5 as a result of a change in temperature of the heater I, the apper will variably throttle the iow through the nozzle IB and change the pressure in chamber 22. If, for example, the temperature has ing creased the flapper will be moved away from the nozzle to permit more air to escape therethrough. Contemporaneously therewith the pressure in chamber 22 will be reduced permitting the bellows 25 to elongate, which in turn will increase the volume of and reduce the pressure in chamber 2G. Such a reduction will cause an elongation of bellows 2l which will through link 30 move bell-crank 2Q and vpin I8 to the right to permit iiapper I 5 to come nearer the nozzle i6, thus permitting a follow-up movement of 'the iapper.

As the pressure in chamber 2li changes air will ow throughY the duct 28 and restriction 29 to `equalize the pressure in chamber 2e with that of the atmosphere and thus gradually permit bellows 21 to return to lts original' length to give a compensating movement to the flapper i5. As the bellows 21 resumes its normal length the ilapper will again be moved to the left to cancel out the follow-up movement. These pressure changes produce an effect on the valve 3, in a manner to be described below, to close the valve enough to bring the condition back to the normal value. If the temperature of the heater does not change after the bellows 21 has contracted to its normal or unexed length, the apper I5 will come to rest with the bell-crank I9 in a position corresponding to a heater temperature slightly higher than would exist in a stable operating condition with a greater demand on the heater for heat.

Pressure to control the opening of valve 3 is supplied through the line i to a valve box having suitable valve seats cooperating with intake valve 39i-and exhaust valve 39e, both mounted on stem 39. The upper end of valve rod 39 is attached to a lever 31 whose left end is pivoted to a. link 3B on the lower end of bellows 35.

The lever 3l has pivoted to it a disc 4I having a slot i2 init which is of progressively changing width. Extending through this slot is a pin i3 on the end of a member ld attached to the movable end wall of a bellows 65. This bellows is in communication with the line .30 through an adjustable restriction 46. The right end of le-` ver 3l is in frictional engagement witha brake member 38 with a force normally suicient to hold that end of lever 31 in its adjusted Dosition. The force is, however, not sufiicient to prevent movement of the lever by -bellows t5.

With the parts in the position shown air will escape through open valve 39e to reduce the pressure in line iiD and the diaphragm chamber of valve il to permit that valve to be moved toward closed position by a suitable spring.

As the pressure is reduced in line Il air will escape through restriction t8 to shorten bellows d5 and move the pin i3 against the lower edge of slot 62. Continued movement of pin' t3 will pivot the lever 3T around link 36 against the force of brake 38 to move valve stem 39 downwardly. This closes exhaust valve 39e and opens intake valve 391 to let pressure built up in line (iii, valve 3 and bellows l5 at a rate determined by the opening of restriction G.

Thus it ywill be seen that the instrument is continuously raising and lowering the control valve pressure by moving the lever 3'! around its pivotv on link 36. 'Ihe magnitude of the pressure fluctuations are determined by the setting of disc il since the larger the lost motion between pin 43 and the edges of slot [i2 the greater the pressure change that is necessary to change the length of bellows dilsuliciently to move lever 37. The frequency of the iiuctuations is desure in bellows 35 to thereby alter its length.

As the bellows 35 changes in length the link 36 will be shifted to raise or lower the left end of lever S'i around its frlctionally held right end as a pivot until the lost motion between 62 and i3 is taken up, and then around d3 as a pivot. If the movement of link 39 was up, as a result of an increase in temperature `of heater I, the valve 39e will stay open longer than usual. This requires that the pressure on the valve 3 and in bellows d5 go lower than its previous minimum pressure. Likewise the frequency of the pressure fluctuations on the valve 3 has been de- I this case attached to an .portinl lever 2|.

creased by the longer time required for the pin I 43 to traverse the slot 42. This provides a lower l The increased time for the initial pressure fluctuation to take place after a change` in length of bellows 35 causes a larger change in the average valve pressure than would be possible without the lost motion. It may be seen further that the faster the rate of departure of the condition from the control point, the greaterthe effectiveness of this"kick.

In operation, -when the condition is at its normal value this instrument will continuously add and subtract an adjustable and controlled excess valve pressure in such a way that the net eiect upon the controlled condition is zero. Upon a change in the condition, this positive or vnegative excess would be increased and permitted to act for a proportionately longer period of time to permit the earliestl possible correction for the unbalance of supply and demands of the process; as measured by the bulb 4.

In order to adjust the control `point of the instrument or the normal value of thetemperav ture which the instrument maintains it is necessaryto change the preliminary adjustment of the flapper I with respect to the nozzle I6. This may be accomplished by shifting the link |4.up or down to'change the fulcrum point of lever I3. To this end the link I4 is pivoted at its' upperend to one arm of 'a bell-crank 41 that is in turn pivoted at II. .A knob 48 provided with a crankarm 1491s connected to the second arm of bell-crank 41 by a link 50 so that as the knob is rotated the link I4 will be shifted. I-f it is desired an indicating arm or pen may be attached to it for movement with the bell-crank Ill so that an indication or record of the value of the temperature of the heater is made. Also an arm may be attached to bell-crank 41 so that an indication of the control point will be had. In either case a suitable scale or chart must be provided to cooperate with the indicating arms.

- In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 2 the levers for moving the ilapper valve I 5 in response to changes in the temperature have for the most part been omitted. The operation of the apper is, however, the same. lIn this embodiment the pressure in chamber 22 also acts on a diaphragm 5| located within a pilot valve chamber 52. A valve member 53 is biased toward the diaphragm'and is moved thereby to restrict either an air supply nozzle 54 or an exhaust noz-'- z'le 55. The chamber 52 is connected with the diaphragm chamber of valve 3 by the line 4U. In this manner pressure changes in chamber-22 and on the diaphragm 5| move the valve member 53 .between nozzles 54 'and 55 to'maintain a pressure in chamber 52 proportional to that in the chamber l22. This pressure is then applied to the diaphragm of valve 3 through line 48.

Instead of having a second bellows in the casing 23, as was done in Fig. 1, thechamber 281s connected by a line 55, to a chamber 51 formed by a casing 58 and a bellows, both attached at thelropen ends to a support lll. The chamber 51 is in communication with the atmosphere I through a duct il having an adjustable restriction B2 in it. .A nod Il. attached to the inner closed end of bellows il has a bent'over end ex tending into the slo't 42 of a disc 4|-,.which is in ear formed on the sup- The line 56, having .an adjustable restriction 64 in it beyond the chamber 51 extends to a third chamber 55, formed by a casing |56 and bellows 61 b oth attached to the support 60. A link 68 extends from the closed inner end of the bellows 61 to an ear on the lever 2|, so that the lever will be moved as the bellows changes in length. In this embodiment the lever 2| is resiliently held in a normal position by a lever'69, pivoted at'10 and biased by a spring 1I toward lever 2|.. Two lugs formed on lever 69 engage the lever 2| on opposite sides of its pivot point I1 and at equal distances therefrom so that upon movement of the lever 2| in either direction the spring 1| will be elongated.

In the operation of this embodiment the pulsating pressure on the valve is obtained in the following manner. If, for example, the fiapper 'has just moved nearer the nozzle I6 pressure will be built up in chamber 2 2. This will cause bellows 24 to contract and force air through line 56 to chamber l51 toin turn contract the bellows i 5S. Such movement of that bellows will continuel until the link |53 Ihas moved so that its bent over is -suiiicient so that the follow-up movement of' endv engages the left edge of slot 42 to vmove lever 2| clockwise around its pivot and provide a follow-up. movement for the `iiapper I5 to stop the change in air pressure in chamber 22. The pressure increase in line 56 passes slowly through the restriction 64 into the chamber 65. This delay lever 2| has been completed by the time bellows 61 has contracted enough to give a further clock wise movement to lever 2|. This through bell- .crank I9 and pin I8 moves fiapper I5 away from.

nozzle I6 to permit more air to escape through the nozzle and reduce the pressure in chamber 22.

The reduction in pressure works in a manner opposite to that just described so that bellows 53 will expand and move link 68 to the right, through the lost motion slot 42 to provide the follow-up movement of the apper I5. The link 68 will then move lever 2| counter-clockwise to again permit the iiapper to move toward nozzle IB and build up pressure in chamber 22 again.

The net eiect of these pressure variations on the valve 3 is to cancel each other so that an average pressure is maintained thereon in proportion to the value of the temperature.

As a change in the temperature' of the heater occurs thebell-crank I8 will be 'moved relative to the lever 2| and change the relation of the iiapper l5 lao-nozzle I6. 'I'he bellows 59 must then move the link B3 further to satisfy the fol# low-up movement. This causes a longer delay through restriction 64 and an increase above or decrease below the average valve pressure that has been maintained, which pressure is eiective .for a'longer time. From this it may beseen that the valve Inlay be made to oscillate between adjustable limits and with an adjustable and controlled frequency such that an 'excess over the average valve pressure requirement is immediately available'when the temperature of. the heater departs from its normal value or ccntroi point., Y

The initial eii'ect or initial increase or decrease in pressure applied to the valve I over that which would normally be applied to it is caused in part-by the change in pressure necessary to move link Il through the lost motion, and in part by the pressure increase that Is necessary to overcome the yi'orce of spring 1|. 'Ihis greater than normal changein pressure will cause the valve The spring 83 increase in pressure on the valve 3,

3 to have an increased movement and a greater regulating effect on the passage of heating fluid through it so that the condition can return more quickly to normal.

The embodiment of the invention in Fig. 3

diiers from that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in the manner in which the fluctuating pressure is apshown in Fig. 2. The.

follow-up and compensating movements of the the usual way by the link 30, but the manner in which pressure variaapper are furnished in tions are applied to chamber 22 differ from that previously described.

The valve line '4D has a branch 12 leading therefrom so that a pressure equal to that in the valve is also applied by a branch 13 and the line 12 to the interior of bellows 14 and 15, respectively. Another branch 16 having an adjustable restriction I1 in it leads to a chamber formed within a container 18 that completely surrounds the two bellows and an'air volume tank 19 that is so located for convenience., This tank could be made larger if desired and removed from the container 18. 'I'he chamber 22 is in com' munioation with the interior of 18 by means of a line '80 and in restricted communication with the interior tank 19 by means of the adjustable restriction 8 I Located within the bellows 14 is a apper 82 that is biased by a spring 88 to normally cover a nozzle 84 that exhausts to the atmosphere.

may be adjusted to apply any desired tension to the fiapper by means of a knob or thumb-screw 85. Expansion of the bellows 14 will raise the dapper 82 from the nozzle 84 by means of a link 86 that is fastened at one end to the bellows and at the other end to the apper.

Located within the bellows 15 is a iiapper 81 that is biased by a spring 88 to cover a nozzle 88 that is formed on the end of aline 90 communicating directly with the air' supply line 34. The tension of the spring may be adjusted by means of a knob 8|. Contraction of the bellows 15 lifts the iiapper 81- from the nozzle 88 by means of a. link 82 forming a thrust connection between the upper end of the' bellows andthe left end of the iiapper. A stop 93 is provided between the upper end of bellows 15 and the interior of container' 18 to limit the maximum length of the bellows.

The fluctuating valve pressure in this embodiment is obtained as follows. Movement of iiapper i5 toward nozzle i5 by link 38 will cause pressure to build up on diaphragm 5i This causes an and, through extension 13, in bellows 14. As the bellows elongates it will overcome the force of spring 83 to open valve 82 to limit the pressure increase. Simultaneously air is leaking past the restriction 11 into casing 18, line 88 and chamber 22. When pressure has built up in there suiiciently link 38 will'be moved to the left to move flapper I5 away from'nozzle I8, thereby reducing the pressure on diaphragm 5i. The pressure willV also be reduced on the control valve 3, in line 12, and

in bellows l5, to contract the latter. Contraction of 15, through link 92, overcomes the force of spring 88 to open valve 81 and let air direct from the source 34 into the system, thus limiting the reduction of pressure that it is possible to obtain. Simultaneously air is leakingv from chamber 22 through line 80 and restriction 11 due to the reduction in pressure in line 40. When the pressure has reduced suiiiciently in chamber 22 link 30 will be shifted to the right, moving iiapper I5 toward its nozzle to start another cycle.

By the adjustment of the spring 83 any definite increase in valve pressure may be obtained from a decrease in the temperature of the heater. If

the restriction 11 is entirely closed this pressure I will be maintained until theheater temperature rises to move the iiapper I5 away from nozzle I5 since there can be no pressure change in the chamber 22 to provide the followfup and compensating movements. If, however, the restriction 11 is opened air can leak past it into the casing 18 and line 80 into the chamber 22. Thus the follow-up and compensating movements may take place in a manner previously described at any time after the original valve pressure change by the adjustment of the restriction 11. It the change in temperature was small the restriction 11 will not be as effective as if the change was large because the pressure built up in the chamber 52 and its communication parts will not be. so large. Therefore, the action of link 30 on the apper to remove the initial increase in valve pressure will take place sooner than if the pressure change is large. In this manner the initial eiect varies with the magnitude of the temperature change. It will also be obvious that as the temperature .of` the heater. I rises due to the change in the valve opening that the pressure in chamber 52 will be reduced andthereby cause the follow-up action to occur sooner than if the temperature did not start to` rise.

If it is desired to obtain a longer time delay between the change in valve. pressure and the follow-up than is'possible by the use of restriction 11 alone the restriction 8l maybe opened thus increasing the volume of the system by the volume of tank 19. 'I'he amount that the restriction 8| is opened will determine the eiectveness of this increased volume since it determined the rate at which the air may now to and from the rn the embodiment of the invention diseased in Fig. 4 thereis alsoproduced on the valve 8 a uctuating pressure in addition to the initial effect.

The manner in which the casing 23 and its associated parts and the pilot valve are arranged are the same as the arrangement of those parts in Fig. 3. -but the arrangement of the parts that produce the `fluctuating pressure on the control valve while the same in principle is different from that previously described. An extension of the line. 48 leads through $4'to the interior of a bellows 95 that hasits open end attached to a supporting plate 95. The force needed to clongate the bellows 85 may be varied by adjusting4 Communicating 99 projecting upwardly from the plate 96,'which nozzle is normally closed by a weighted valve ymember |00. The valve 99 is adapted to be opened by an arm attached-to the exterior of the bellows 95, as that bellows expands.

A casing |02 extends upwardly from the plate 9E to cover the .bellows 95 and a second bellows |03 that has its open end attached to a partition |04 in the casing. The force necessary to expand bellows |03 may be adjusted by changing the tension on -a spring |05 therein, which spring is fastened at one end to the partition |04 and atv its ,other end 'to a flexible member |06 that passes over a small pulley |01, attached to the bellows end wall, to a rotatable drum |09.

n This drum may be rotated from the exterior ofv casing |02 to adjust the spring. Expansion of bellows |03 will, by means of an arm |09 on its end, lift ka weighted valve ||0 from the end of a nozzle that extends upwardly from the partition |04. The space exterior of the bellows |03 is in communication with the interior of bellows 95 by means of a passage |I4. As the pressures within thevarious compartments in the casing `|02 change they are used to change, in a manner to be described, the pressure in chamber 22. To accomplish this a line ||2 extends from the chamber 22 to theA casing |02, below the parti-` tion |04. This line has an extension, containing a variable restriction I3, 'which connects directly to the valve line 40.

In the operation of this embodiment-the fluctuating pressure on the control lvalve is set up in the following manner. As a result .of a move-v ment of the link 30 to the right, for example, the apper I5 moves nearer nozzle I6 to build up pressure on the diaphragm 5| and thereby move the valve 53 to increase the pressure in chamber 52, line 40 Aand the control valve. As pressure builds up in line 40 it will also build up in belin pressure on the control valve depends upon the tension of-the springs 91 and |05 and upon the distance that the bellows 95 and |03 have to elongate t lift the valves I0!! and ||0 re spectively. .g l l If it is desired ltodo away with theiictuating pressures on thevcontrol valve 3 and lobtain an immediate follow-up action the restriction ||3 lmay be' opened. .In this case any change in the valve pressure will be immediately applied through linelllkrestriction ||3 and line ||2 to the chamber 2213"@ Referring to Fig. 5, thereis shown another form of the invention. 4In this form of the invention the nozzle vIS-and line 33 both lead to a small chamber ||5 in which is locateda bellows H6, the interior of which is in communication with the chamber 28. Because of this construction any 'change inthe position of apper l5 relative to nozzle I6 will immediately cause a pressure change in chamber |5 to alter the length of bellows H6. This gives an immediate, small followvup to the link 30 because of the change in pressure in chamber- 26 due to the change in length of bellows Ill.

A larger follow-up movement which causes the i fluctuating pressure on valve 9 is produced by the .pressure applied from chamber 52 to the valve line 40 by mechanism now to b described. The line 40 extends through a ibase member ||1 that has attached to it a cup shaped cap ||8. Located within the cap and-.fastened to the base is abellows l I 9 that has attached to its closed end a rod |20 on the lower end of which is a roller |2|.A` 'I'his roller is adapted, upon elongation of the bellows. to litt a dapper |22 from the end of a small pipe |23 that has its other end opening into the space between the bellows ||9 and cap H8. Upon contraction of the bellows the roller |2| bears on the right end of a lever |24, pivoted at |25, so that the left `end of the lever will raise apper |22 from the pipe |23.

lows 95 to expand that bellows against the force y of spring 91 until arm' i9! opens the valve |00.

Air can then pass through nozzle 99 and line H2.

to chamber 22, building up in that chamber until the bellows 24 and 21 contract, moving link 3&3

to the left. This will, through parts 2| and i3,

move the apper l5 away from the nozzle l to reduce the pressure on diaphragm 5|.

Upon a reduction in the pressure en diaphragm 5| air will bleed through the exhaust duct 54 and line 5 0 from the control valve 3 and from the interior of bellows 95. Air will also bleed through the passage H4 from the space surrounding bellows |03. As the pressure outside ture o! heater. I the bell-crank I9 will be movedA around l2l to give dapper l5 a movementin addition tothat given by lever 2| as it produces the fluctuating pressure on the valve. This will4 give an excess movement of the apper in one direction or the other. depending upon the changein temperature, that will cause an increase or decrease in pressure in the bellows u in excess of normal to change the setting of the control valve to compensate for the change in temperature.

The amount of the initial increase or decrease The space between the cap ila and bellows H9 is connected by a line |28 to the chamber 22, and

by a line |21 lhaving a variable restriction |20 in it, to a volume tank |29.

In the operation of this embodiment as the `1lapper15 moves toward the nozzle ES pressure will build up in chamber HE and on diaphragm 0| to move valve 53 downwardly to permit a pressure increase in chamber 52. The increase vin chamber lllwill compress bellows it@ toincrease the pressure in chamber 2% and give a small follow-up movement to rod 36. Contemporaneously therewith pressure wiil build up in bellows H9 through line 40. This will continue until the natural resilience ,of the bellows has been overcome and the bellows elongated suinciently for roller |2| to liift dapper valve |22 from the end of pipe |23. Air can then pass from line 40 through pipe |29, casing ||3` and line |28 to chamber 22 to give a larger follow-up movement to the link 3l. This movement of the link is suicient to move dapper I5 away from nozzle Il and produce pressure changes opposite in direction from those just described to again move apperll toward the nozzle Il.

In this manner a fluctuating or pulsating 'pressure is continually impressed on the valve 3.

which pressure changes average out to have -no appreciable eii'ect on the now through pipe 2. Any change in the condition or temperature of the heater will cause an increased movement of the dapper Il in one direction or the other to produce a larger pressure changethrough 4a casing |36 forms a chamber |31.

-a small follow-up movement to link the line lil before the mechanism balances out and again starts the normal fluctuations of the valve pressure. In this embodiment the initial eil'ect is produced by the natural resiliency of the bellows H9 and the time it takes the pressure to build up suiliciently therein to lift flapper |22. This may be altered if desired by providing some means for adjusting the tension of the bellows. such as is shown in Fig. 4. f

By adjusting the opening of restriction |28 the speed ofl response of the second, larger follow-up may be changed. This is because with the restriction open the pressure in tank |29 must also be changed with that in chamber 22. The larger the volume the longer the time necessary for the pressure change to take place, and the wider open the restriction |23,-the quicker this volume tank can have its pressure changed.

The embodiment of Fig. 6 is similar in some respects to that of Fig. 1 and in others to that lof Fig. 5. The supply of. air from line 34 in this case passes through a variable restriction 32A:

'instead of the iixed restriction previously described. This restriction could, however, be nonadjustable if desired and the restrictions 32 in the previous embodiments could be made adjustable. Beyond the restriction 32A air passes through line 33 to compartment HSA, similar to but larger than compartment H5, and is perlmitted to escape through nozzle I6 at rates dependent upon the position of fiapper I5. Within the compartment ||5A is a fairly large bellows H3A whose interior is connected by pipe |30 to chamber 26. Branching from line 33 is a line that extends to the interior of a chamber `|3| formed between a cup-shaped casing |32 and a bellows |33, both of which have their open ends secured to a support |34. This support has an opening in it through which the link 36 extends so that its upper end may bev attached to the end wall of bellows |33. 'I'he lower end of link 36 is attached to a lever 31 that adjusts a valve 33 of the type shown in Fig. 1. The lower end of link 44 that supports the projection 43, bearing in the slot 42, is at. tached to the end-wall of a bellows |35, that with Both the bellows and casing have their open ends attached to a support |38. The valve line 4|! is provided .vitha branch that leads to the chamber. |31. so that the valve pressure may be impressed upon the .bellows |35. An extension |39 of line 40 leads past a variable restriction |40 to the chamber 22 to -provide the large follow-up motion for link 30. The operation of this embodiment is similar to that of Fig. 1. If the apparatus has moved the lever 2| so that flapper li moves nearer to nozzle Il -pressure will build upin chamber I ISA to give and in chamber |3I. As pressure builds up in the latter bellows |33 will contract, moving wardly, and lever 31 counter-clockwise around its end that is in engagement with friction piece 38. This opens valveji and closes valve 39e, per mitting pressure to build up in-lines 40 and |39. Such pressure increase causes the bellows to contract, move the projection |43 through the slot |42 until its upper edge is engaged, thereby moving lever 31 around 33 as a pivot to partially close valve 33| and open valve 33e. This same pressure change through line |39, at a rate I5 away from nozzle I6 to reverse the operations just described, whereby a fluctuating pressure is.

up sumciently in chamber 22 to move link 30.

From the above detailed descriptions it will be seen that the instrument of my invention is caf pable of controlling the value of a condition within narrow limits and is adapted to rapidly bring the condition back to normal upon a deviation therefrom. The ability of the instrument to give an initial effect and the ease with which this `effect may be adjusted both as to magnitude and length of duration render it extremely veratile in use.

While in accordance 'with the provisions of the statutes, I have illustrated and described the best form of my' invention now known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the form of the appatus disclosedwithout departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims, and that in some cases certain features of my invention may sometimes be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an air control instrument. an expansible chamber, valve means to regulate the pressure in said chamber, a pivoted lever, an element pivoted to said lever to 'adjust said valve upon movement of said lever, means to periodically move said lever around its pivot in such a manner that the valve moves to increase and decrease the pressure in said chamber equalamounts, said means comprising mechanism to vary the time of movement of said lever, and means to adjust the relation o f said element and lever in response to variations in a control condition.

2. In an air control unit comprising means responsive to the value of a condition, a chamber, means responsive to the pressure in said chamber to continually vary said pressure a given amount .between shiftable limits, mechanism operated by link 36 downdepending upon the adjustment of restriction |40,

said responsive means to shift said limits in re- 1spense to variations in the value of said condi- 3. In an air control unitfan expansible cham- Iber, mechanism'to continuously vary the pressure a given amount .in said chamber-.between shiftable limits, means responsive .to the value of a control condition to change the value of one of said limits and thereby produce an increased -pressure change in said chamber and means to vary the size of said increased pressure change for a given change in the value of said condition.

I4. In an air control instrument. the combination with an element movable in response to variations in a control condition, regulating means for said condition, means to continually adjust said regulating means through narrow and adi J'ustable limits, means to shift the range of said limits upon movement of said element to thereby vary the average position of said regulating means, and means to delay the operation of said shifting means in proportion to the amount of movement of said element.

5. In a control instrument, an expansible chamber, valve means to adjust the pressure in plitude and duration of said relative movement,

said chamber, an element responsive to the value of a control condition to movesaid Ivalve, sepa-- rate means to periodically adjust saidvalve within limits determined by its adjustmentby the element, means t lvary 'the frequencyv off said periodic adjustments, and means to vary'the amplitude of said periodic adjustments.

6.V In a control instrument, a chamber, valve means to regulate the pressure in said chamber, y

periodically operated means to adjust said valve to cause regularly recurring pressure changes in said chamber, means to adjust the amplitude and frequency of said changes, second means to adjust said valve in response to variations in a control condition, said second and f lrst means acting independently to produce a resultant movement of the valve'andl pressure change in said chamber larger than lthat producedby said condition alone.

7. In an air control unit, a control valve adapt-' ed to be variably opened in response to changes in a pressure applied thereto, an expansible chamber subjected to the same pressures applied to said valve, means responsive to the pressures in said chamber to continually vary said pressures between given limits, means to delay the pressure change in said chamber until it has acted on said valve and means'to vary the limits between which said pressure changes.

8. In an air control instrument the combina-v tion with means operable'in response to changes in a control condition, a bellows whose length is changed in response to said operations, a lever having one end supported by said bellows, and movable therewith, a pilot valve operated by saidV lever, `a secondA bellows whose length is changed in response to movements of said pilot valve, a connection between Vsaid second bellows and said lever to readjust said lever and pilot valve, and a lost motion device in-said connection.

9. In an air control instrument, pressure actuated regulating means, mechanism operative under normal conditions to continuously 4vary the pressure on said means with a given amplitudeand at a given frequency, a chamber, means operative in response to variations in a control condition to change the pressure in said chamber, and means operated therebyI to delay the operation fof said mechanism wherebythe pressure variationsapplied to said regulating means will be temporarily changed.

10. In an air control instrument an expansible chamber means to apply a pressure to said chamber, means Vresponsive to said pressure to continuously vary said pressure between fixed limits, said means comprising an element adjustable to change the direction of variations at times prior to the attainment of said limits, and

means responsive to a control condition to vary of said n-ozzle and dapper, means to vary the amand` means to alter lthe normal relative movements of said nozzle and dapper in response to variations in a control c'zondition.`

12. In an air control instrument, a pressure ...actuated regulating means, means responsive to the variation of a control condition from a normal .value to adjust the pressure on said regulating means comprising an air chamber subjected to the same pressure as -said regulating means, valve means to adjust the pressure in said chamber, means to give an immediatefollow-up to said valve, means responsive to adjustments of. the pressure in said chamber to give a delayed and larger 'follow-up to said valve and means to alter the no1-mal positions of said valve, in response to changes in said condition.

13. In an air control instrument-an air space, valve means regulating `the pressure in said space, a devicefor adjusting said valve means in accordance with `a control condition, means responsive to changes in said pressure and actuated on a change therein to give said valve an initial 'adjustment in a reverse direction, means also responsive to said 'changes in pressureto give -said valve means a delayed and larger adjustment in said reverse direction and a subsequent adjustment opposite in direction to said initial and delayed adjustments, said last named means b eing adjustable to vary the time between said initial'and delayed adjustments.

14. Ina control system, the'combination of an air operated .control valve, a supply'of pressure fluid to adjust said valve, means operated change the average pressure of the Yfluctuating pressure whereby the average' opening, of said control valve will be changed.

15.1n a control system, a pressure operated control valve, mechanism to apply a continuously fluctuating pressure to said control valve comprising a pilo-t valve, a-supply of air under pressure, means to periodically adjust said pilot valve in opposite directions, said means being operated by said pressure supply, and means responsive to the value of a condition regulated by said control valve to separately adjust said:

sponsive to the pressures in said chamber to con-- -tinuously vary the pressure therein between given limits wherebyv said fluctuating pressuresy are produced-means to delay the pressure change in said chamber until it has acted on said control valve, and means to vary the limits between which said pressure changes responsive to variations in the value of the condition being con trolled.

ROBERT L. MALLORY. 

